Bollywood movie review: Kesari 2
A tale of justice delayed but not denied
There have been many movies on the infamous Jallianwala Bagh massacre in India in 1919 – the latest Akshay Kumar starrer Kesari 2 has once again ignited emotions of pain, anger and patriotism.
More than 1000 people were killed in the massacre after British General Dyer ordered army troops to open fire on a crowd of civilians rallying in a park. Though the British tried to suppress details, enough pressure had been built to bring forth a proper answer.
That's history, and then there's Kesari 2 . At the film's centre is Sankaran Nair (Akshay), a respected Malayali lawyer who was part of the Executive Council. To make him the 'pet' of the empire, he was also bestowed with Knighthood. With time, he was troubled by the events in Punjab that led him to fight a case against the 'Crown' where he blamed Dyre for the genocide.
The film is inspired by The Case That Shook the Empire , co-authored by Raghu Palat and Pushpa Palat – descendants of Sankaran Nair. Set against the backdrop of post-massacre colonial India, it follows Nair's defamation case against Michael O'Dwyer, the then Lieutenant Governor of Punjab, after Nair criticised British actions in his 1922 book Gandhi and Anarchy . Directed by Karan Singh Tyagi, the film takes its base from the book and takes creative liberty to make it more dramatic.
It is difficult to think of a any mainstream actor in a comedy role and Akshay Kumar has always excelled in it. However, without any doubts of him as a good comedy actor we have very little roles of Kumar where he matches the aura of a serious pain-stricken man. And that is what he does so diligently with the character of Nair in the movie. There has been a clear change in his character and dialogue delivery as the narrative progresses.
A few scenes that stand out are Sankaran Nair being stopped for accessing the courtyard as 'dogs and Indians are not allowed', Shankaran's visit to Pargat and Dilreet filing the case with Shankaran's sudden appearance at the court. Post-interval, the Martha Stevens track is very memorable. The climax might seem predictable and yet, it packs a punch. The film ends on an exhilarating note, though the incessant 'F' word slur seemed a bit exaggerated.
Sharing the screen alongside Akshay is R Madhavan, who portrays Advocate Neville McKinley, representing the British Crown. Ananya Panday plays the pivotal role of Dilreet Gill, a key supporter in Nair's legal battle. Both the co-stars put a strong performance, though Madhavan could have been given more screen time. Although his character is interesting, he remains mum during the crucial pre-climax and climax sequences. A more engaging climax might have done wonders for the movie.
Director Karan Singh Tyagi's choice to turn a historically significant event into a courtroom drama is commendable. The way he blended the courtroom drama format with a historical context pushes the narrative forward in an interesting manner.
The background score by Sashwat Sachdev added intensity to a few crucial scenes while the solid cinematography poignantly captured the essence of a bygone era. The editing was equally tight and special credit must go to the tight script and screenplay.
While the film raises patriotic feelings among the Indian populace, along with contempt for the condemnable British Raj, it also carries an unnecessary item song (who asked for it?), despite the fast pace which arouses tension, suspicion, and anxiety in every frame.
Genre: Period, DramaStarring: Akshay Kumar, R Madhavan, Ananya PandayRating: ***
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Observer
21-05-2025
- Observer
Scarlett Johansson faces tough reviews in director debut
Scarlett Johansson faced some tough initial reviews for her debut film as a director after it premiered in front of a VIP-packed crowd at the Cannes film festival on Tuesday. Actors heading behind the camera is something of a trend in Cannes this year, with "Twilight" star Kristen Stewart and British actor Harris Dickinson also showcasing their first features. Johansson appears to have found the transition more difficult than her contemporaries, with several critics' views on "Eleanor the Great" likely to make difficult reading for one of Hollywood's most bankable stars. Film bible Variety called it "an unconvincing crowd-pleaser", The Hollywood Reporter said it was "wobbly" and Britain's Guardian newspaper critic called it "frankly odd" in a two-star review. Screen was more positive, however, saying online "streamers should come calling", while The Times in London said it had "the jackpot combination of being tear-inducing and laugh-out-loud funny". Lead actress June Squibb, 95, won almost universal praise for her turn as a grief-stricken retiree who moves to New York and adopts the personal story of her deceased best friend who survived the Holocaust. "It's a film about many things: it's about friendship, it's about grief, it's about forgiveness. And I think those are all themes that we can use a lot more of these days," Johansson said after the premiere. Johansson's movie is in the running for prizes in the "Certain Regard" secondary section at Cannes for up-and-coming directors that also includes Stewart's and Dickinson's films this year. Dickinson, the 28-year-old star of "Babygirl", asked the press to be "gentle" as he unveiled "Urchin", a touching film about a rough sleeper in London. "It's my first film so if you don't like it, break it to me nicely," he said before the premiere on Saturday. Initial reviews have been positive, with his social-realist debut said to have echoes of the work of veteran British director Mike Leigh, a past winner of Cannes' top prize. Actors generally have a spotty record when it comes to directing, with Oscar-winning Clint Eastwood one of a small band to have convinced when calling the shots on set. Greta Gerwig, who broke through as an actress before hitting the directorial big time with 2023 hit "Barbie", has also clocked up a string of hits. Australian screen great Nicole Kidman lamented on Sunday how the number of women directing major box office successes is still "incredibly low". Stewart might be one to watch for the future, judging by the rapturous reception to her debut, "The Chronology of Water", a searing examination of child sex abuse. "I can't wait to make 10 more movies," she told AFP. Rolling Stone magazine said the 35-year-old has "accomplished what she set out to do, with honors". —AFP
Observer
20-05-2025
- Observer
'Criminal': Elton John condemns UK's AI copyright plans
Elton John on Sunday accused the British government of "committing theft" by proposing that tech firms could train artificial intelligence models on the UK's music and creative output without guaranteeing proper recompense. Creative industries globally are grappling with the legal and ethical implications of AI models that can produce their own work after being trained on existing material. Britain, which Prime Minister Keir Starmer wants to become an AI superpower, has proposed relaxing copyright laws to allow AI developers to train their models on any material to which they have lawful access. The proposal would require creators to proactively opt out to stop their work being used. The biggest names in the industry, including John, Paul McCartney, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Ed Sheeran and others, have urged the government to change course, saying the proposal will make it even harder for young people to make a living in the creative industries. "The danger is for young artists, they haven't got the resources to keep checking or fight big tech," John told the BBC. "It's criminal and I feel incredibly betrayed." "A machine ... doesn't have a soul, doesn't have a heart, it doesn't have human feeling, it doesn't have passion. Human beings, when they create something, are doing it ... to bring pleasure to lots of people," he said. John has sold more than 300 million records over a six-decade career. A supporter of Starmer's Labour Party, he said he had always sought to support young artists and would continue to fight against the changes. The government says it is seeking a solution that will enable creative industries and AI companies to flourish. It said on Sunday it was consulting on measures, would publish an assessment on the economic impact of any move, and will not sign off on anything unless it is "completely satisfied they work for creators". Britain has long outperformed in the creative industries, with thousands employed in sectors including theatre, film, advertising, publishing and music. —Reuters
Observer
10-05-2025
- Observer
New Attenborough film showcases both destruction and hope in planet's oceans
British naturalist David Attenborough says there is hope for the future of the planet's oceans in a new film premiering later on Tuesday that sets out both the scale of damage caused by human activities and the oceans' capacity for recovery. In his latest work "Ocean", Attenborough, one of the world's best-known nature broadcasters and filmmakers whose work spans seven decades, charts the challenges faced by the seas over his lifetime, from destructive industrial fishing practices to mass coral reef bleaching. "After almost 100 years on the planet, I now understand the most important place on Earth is not on land, but at sea,' he says in a trailer of the movie. Its full release in cinemas on Thursday coincides with Attenborough's 99th birthday. Tuesday's premiere in London will see both a glitzy event with celebrities and dignitaries walking a blue - not red - carpet in the evening, and a daytime screening for students and teachers. Despite depicting the bleak current state of the health of the ocean, discoveries made during filming offer hope, Attenborough said. "The ocean can recover faster than we had ever imagined, it can bounce back to life," he said. "If we save the sea we save our world. After a lifetime of filming our planet I'm sure nothing is more important." The film's release comes ahead of the United Nations Ocean conference in Nice, France, in June where it is hoped more countries will ratify a 2023 agreement to protect ocean biodiversity. So far only 21 countries have officially signed, falling well short of the 60 countries needed for the agreement to come into force. Renowned broadcaster Sir David Attenborough is celebrated worldwide for revolutionising nature documentaries and raising awareness about environmental issues. Over his decades-long career, he has produced iconic series such as Planet Earth, Blue Planet, and Life on Earth, setting new standards in wildlife filmmaking. Attenborough's compelling narration and innovative filming techniques have captivated global audiences, fostering a deeper appreciation for biodiversity. His work has highlighted urgent ecological challenges, including habitat loss and climate change, inspiring conservation efforts across the globe. Recognised with numerous awards such as BAFTA, Emmy, and a knighthood, he continues to influence public policy and environmental campaigning. Attenborough's unwavering dedication to educating the public about our planet's wonders and vulnerabilities has cemented his legacy as a leading figure in science communication and conservation.—Reuters
